I think I may have a meat bird...

[StarrChicks]

So I bought 4 chicks from TSC during their chick days and 3 of them are normal size for their age but 1 is HUGE! She's as heavy as a turkey! And she doesn't seem to like walking around that much... what do y'all think? The chick in question is the white one.

 

[sourland]

She appears to be a Cornish X meat bird. Her life expectancy is likely going to be limited.

 

[Weeg]

You are correct, you have a cornish X meat bird. They usually don't live past butcher date. You have two options, 1 butcher her at 8 weeks of age, or once she reaches a desirable weight, or put her on a stick diet. 1/4 of 18% protein food daily until her weight drops to a healthy weight. You'd have to keep her in a separate pen were she didn't have access to any of the other birds feeders. If you tried this, there is still no guarantee that she will drop enough weight fast enough. Plus, being in her own pen by herself wont be and ideal situation for her, but it could still be worth a shot.
Whatever you comfortable with doing will be the right decision. If you want to try and save her, I have an article about my 2 pet Cornish X that may be helpful. Good luck!

 

[LizzzyJo]

Yes you do, as said above, she should be butchered at 8-10 weeks. Her quality of life will greatly diminish. If you are not in the mindset to dispatch, I would suggest selling her on craigslist. While they can live past their butcher date, I would shy away from saying that this is 'saving' them, as quality of life is often much more important than length. If you can follow articles to maintain her quality of life, then more power to you.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

CX are notoriously heat intolerant. Also predator ignorant, and famed for eating themselves, literally, to death. Bred for one purpose - a quick and efficient source of meat for table.

I left TX two years ago, moved back to hot humid FL. I have raised CX to more than a year in age - there are a number of steps you can take to improve the bird's chances, no guarantees - but a quick end and celebration as a special dish is the more common recommendation, and one I will join in making.

 

[StarrChicks]

You are correct, you have a cornish X meat bird. They usually don't live past butcher date. You have two options, 1 butcher her at 8 weeks of age, or once she reaches a desirable weight, or put her on a stick diet. 1/4 of 18% protein food daily until her weight drops to a healthy weight. You'd have to keep her in a separate pen were she didn't have access to any of the other birds feeders. If you tried this, there is still no guarantee that she will drop enough weight fast enough. Plus, being in her own pen by herself wont be and ideal situation for her, but it could still be worth a shot.
Whatever you comfortable with doing will be the right decision. If you want to try and save her, I have an article about my 2 pet Cornish X that may be helpful. Good luck!

Thanks for the info! I'm going to break it to my girls tonight and see what we will do with her...

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Please keep us updated!